Fluid-operated tool.



J. W. OANTY.

FLUID OPERATED TOOL. APPLICATION FILED MAB..9, 190s. RENEWED FEB. 2;), 1912.

ggi sga Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

2 sums-311mm 1.

J; W. CANTY.

FLUID OPERATED TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED mum, 190s. RENEWED r113. 20, 1912. 1,024,395

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; rocatory plunger or p as a coal-mining and To, all totem it may concern:

JOHN W: CANTY, OF

comma,

FLUID-OPERATED TOOL.

v Specification of Letters l atent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Application filed March 9, 1908, Serial No. 420,082. Renewed February 20, 1912. Serial No. 678,958. I

Be it known that I, JOHN 7;. citizen of the United States, residing at Florence, in the county of Fremont and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Operated CAN-TY, a

Tools, of which the following is aspecifica tion.

, My present invention relates to improvements in tools ofthe type involving a reciptoolj stock such as used in fconnlection with mining machines, rockdrills,ir1iveters and apparatus of a similar character, and the,present, embodiment of the invention is especially adapted for use cutting machine, and the object of the invention primarily is to provide a tool or machine of this class wherein the reciprocatory movements of the tool movable parts plungerlor tool stock are effected by a com-,

pressible. fluid, the expansive properties of which .se'rve to effect blows'of the tool as well as to provide cushioning means whereby the reversals of the of the machine are effected without shock or jam Another object of the invention is to provide suitable mechanism for compressing and controlling the elastic or compressible fluid whereby the properly timed movements of the plunger. or tool stock are effected, and to provide. a ,motor, an electric motor being usually preferable, by reason of the facility with-which it quick and powerful may be applied to portable tools of this character, the motor serving to operate the fluidcompressing and control-.

llng means.

To these and other ends, the invention "consists in certain improvements, and com binations. arid arrangements of parts, all as i will be'liereinafter more fully n'ovelffeatures being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification. V

In the-accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of described, the

a mining machine constructed in accordance with my present invention,

stock being shown'in -parat;o1:y.-to its -power'stroke;.Fig. 2 is a 1 showing the plu'n er torolfstock in actuated position and he cooperating parts in readiness to retract the plhng'el;,ior tool stock Fig. 3 represents fa hori'zental section taken Fig-.331; Fig. t represents a transverse secthe plunger or on the line 33 of a position pre tion of the machine enlarged takenon the line H, Fig. 1, looking toward the left; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the valve which admits fluid to retract the plunger or tool stock.

reference characters in the several views. I As previously stated, my present inven tion is applicable generally to tools of the class employing a reciprocatory plunger or tool stock, such tools being constructed in eters, and mining apparatus of various kinds, although in the present instance I have elected to illustrate use in connection with a machine. I In the present lnstance mining and cutting the machine composed of a casting'in one or several parts according to the convenience of manufacends to the casing. The head 6 is provided with a forwardly-extending sleeve 8 which has a bore preferably arranged in alinement with the axes of the cylinders and serves as a guide for the plunger or tool stock 9, the latter being provided with a chuck or other means for attaching a drill, pick or other tool of the desired kind thereto, the rear end of the plunger or tool stock being with a piston head 10 which has a fluidtight fit and reciprocates axially of the' cylinder,'the movements of the plunger being controlled by the pressure of the fluid at opposite sides of the piston head. A pair of fluid-compressing and controlling piston heads 11 and 12 are, also 'fitted to operate Within which the machine may be manipulated con or operator. The i of the cylinder 2 is closed'by a pro? vided at its rear end in the present instance Slmilar parts are designated by the same different sizes and styles and used for such purposes as rock-drills, hammers and rivone embodiment of [I the invention showing the same adapted for prises generally a casing 1 that may be comv end of the cylinder 3 is closed by a head 4 I are tapped or otherwise secured at their rear the cylinders 2and 3, the piston head 1s journaled in a suitable -erating 11 being arranged within the cylinder 2 in rear of the piston head 10 therein, and these fluid-compressing and controlling piston heads are connected for simultaneous movement by means of the respective piston rods 13 and 14 which have their proximate ends secured to a cross-head 15, stufling boxes 16 and 17 serving to pack these piston rods and thereby prevent escape of fluid from the re spcctive cylinders.

The reciprocatory movements of the plun ger or tool stock are effected by a fluid medium which is compressed and controlled by themovements of the pistons 11 and 12, and these movements of thelatter pistons may be accomplished'by a motor of any desired kind. It is preferable however that the motor should be carried by the machine, and in view of the facility with which electric motors may be accommodated to portable tools, it is generally preferable to employ an electric motor to operate these fluid-compressing and controlling pistons. The motor may be ope'ratively connected to the opshaft 18 which is journaled preferably on a vertical axis extending'through a cover plate 19 fastened to the top of the easing between the front and rear sides, and this operating shaft is provided with a pinion 20 which cooperateswith an operating gear 21which has a vertical shaft 22 which bearing 23 formed on the cover plate 19, the ratio of the pinion 20 and gear 21 being such that the desired speed ,or frequency of movement of the pistons 11 and 12 may be attained. Any suitable means may be employed for converting the rotary movement of the operating gear 21'into reciprocatory movement for eifecting the strokes of the fluid-compressing and controlling pistons, the gear 21 being provided in the present instance with a crank pin 24 having a slide 25 journaled thereon, the slide being fitted to reciprocate within a slot 26, the latter being formed in the cross-head 15 and extending transverse to the axis of the pistons connected thereto. This crosshead 15 is suitably guided for rectilinear movement, a pair of guides 27 in the present instance being secured within the casing for this purpose. The gearing and crank mechamsm within a box-like chamber which is formed within the casing between the cylinders, the inner ends of the latter being closed to the said chamber by means of suitable heads which carry the stuffing boxes above described.

Extending longitudinally of the casing are. a pair of fiu1dconducting passages '28 and 29, the passage 28 providing communication between the forward end of the cylinder v3 and the rear end of the cylinder 2. The port 30 through which compressed fluid is discharged into the passage 28 from the 'valve on its seat.

ust described is preferably inclosed.

cylinder 3 is provided with a check-or controlling valve 31 which cooperates with avalve-seat surrounding the said port, a suitably adjusted spring 32 being connected to said valve whereby the permit fluid from the forward side of the piston 12 to enter the fluid passage 28 whenever the pressure at the forward side of the said piston exceeds that in the said passage,

but return flow of the fluid is prevented. -The forward end of the cylinder 3 is also provided with a check or controlling valve 33 which cooperates with a valve-seat sur-,

rounding a port 34 extending through the a suitably adjusted wall of the cylinder, spring 35 serving to normally retain this The valve 33 controls a by-pass 36 which extends from the said valve at the forward end of the cylinder 3 to a end of said cylinder. The head 4 'which closes the rear end of the cylinder 3 is also rovided with an inlet valve'38 whereby air rom the atmosphere may enter the rear end of the cylinder machine and from time to time during its operation. 'The fluid passage; 29 also communicates with the rear cylinder 3, said passage being provided with forward and rear ports 39 and 40, the 'rear said cylinder at or immediately adjacent its rear'end while the port 39 enters the said cylinder at a suitable distance from its rear end whereby communication may be established betweenthe-passage 29 and the forward side of the pistoni12 when the latter occupies its rearmost position as shown in Fig. 1.

I he

ward cylinder 2 at such adistance from its forward end as to provide an air cushion for the piston head 10 of the lunger whereby the forward movements 0 the plunger or tool stock may be arrested without undue 11o shock. The passage 29-is also provided with a port 42 which enters the forward end .of the cylinder 2 at a point between the port 41 just described and the forward end of the cylinder, vided with a valve 43 having a spring 44 thereon which serves to permit opening of the valve to admit fluid pressure to the cylinder,-but prevents back flow of fluid from the forward end of the cylinder 2 into said 120 passage whereby the cushioning action for the plunger is maintained. The wall of the cylinder 2 is also provided with a passage 45 which serves as a by-pass for the piston 11, this passage belng provided with a pair '125 of ports 46 and 47 which enter the rear portion of the cylinder, the port 47 being arranged preferably at or inproximity to the rear end ofthe cylinder while the passage 46 is spaced from the rearport a distance 130 latter will open to '70 port 37 at or in proximity to the rear during the starting of theport entering the,

forward end of the passage 29 is provided with a port 41 which enters the forthe port 42 however being proapproximately equal to the thickness of the piston 11 so that the ports 46 and 47 will be open to'the forward and rear sides of the piston 11 when the latter occupies its rearmostposition. The forward end of the bypass45 has a port 48 which enters the\oylinder 2 at a point immediately in rear of the piston after the latter has made itspower stroke, the port valve 49 having a spring 50 which normally serves to hold said valve in closed posit-ion to prevent flow of fluid from the by-pass 45 into the cylinder through the port 48, but permits the escape of air that is confined in the cylinder between the pistons 10 and -11 while said pistons are moving toward the position shown in Fig. 2.

In applying the invention to'mining machines and other tools .of considerablesize and weight, it is preferable to mount the machine or tool upon supporting wheels 51, the latter being jour'naledfupon trunnions 52 which, in the present instance, extend at right angles to the axis of the casing, and these supporting wheels together with the handles enable the machine to be manipu lated conveniently by the operator.

In order to operate a machine of the kind herein described, the motor connected to the operating shaft 18v is started, and through the pinion 20 and gear 21 the rotary movement of the motor is converted into reciprocatory movements, which movements are communicated to the tons 11 and 12. ssuming the parts to octhrough the the cylinder '2, and during the preliminary movements of the piston 12, any reduction in pressure at the ear side of the piston 12 will be relieved by alr entering from the atmosphere through the inlet valve 38, and these movements of the piston 12 will discharge air from the cylinder 3 through the port into the cylinder .2 in rear of the piston 11 until fluid in thecylinder 2 reaches a proper working pressure, and after such pressure has been attained, the air from the forward side of the piston 12 instead of passing through the port 30 will be suflicient to overcome the spring action ofthe valve '33 and will thereby be discharged through the port 34 into the by-pass 36and willthus return through the port 37 to the rear side of the piston 12. -D uring.working conditions the plunger 9 and its ward position shown in Fig. 2beforefl1fe pistons 11 and 12 commence the forward forward movement of the piston 11 causes it to approach the piston 10 48 being controlled by a' piston rods of the piscushioned and arrested piston 12 serve piston 10 occupy the 'forwhile the latter occupies its forward position. As the port 48 is uncovered at the rear side of the piston 10, the air'confined within the cylinder between these pistons will lift the valve 49 and thus escape through the bypass into the rear end of the cylinder 2, the valve 49 immediately closing after the piston 11- has completed its forward stroke. As the-pistons 11 and 12 commence their return strokes, a partial vacuum is formed between the piston 11 and the piston 10 of the plunger which serves to start the latter on its return stroke, and at the same time the return movement of the piston 12 will compress a charge of air in the rear end of the cylinder 3, this compressed air passing out through the ports 39 and 40 into the passage 29 and from the latter the air is discharged through'the ports 41 and 42 into the cylinder 2 at the forward side of the piston 10, the air thus admitted serving to retract the plunger, the piston 10 on the latter and the piston 11 moving rearwardly in the cylinder 2 simultaneously but with a small. space between their-opposite faces. As the by-pass 45. communicatlng with the rear end of the cylinder 2ris closed by the 'vaLve 49 and the passage 28 is closed by the valve 31, the air at the rear side of. the piston 11 will be highly compressed. The piston 11 however serves as a valve for the forward port 413 of the passage'45, and the moment the forward edge of the piston 11 uncovers the port 46 as shown in Fig. 1, the;highly compressed fluid in rear of the piston' 11 will be admitted to the rear side of the piston 10 on the plunger, when the latter will be shot forward swiftly, delivering afblow by thev tool. The forward or power stroke of the plunger is without shock by the air cushion which is formed between the forward head 6 of the cylinder2 andthe piston the plunger the moment the latter passes over the ort 41, and the rearward or return stroke of the plunger is cushioned of course by the entrance of the highly compressed fluid between the pistons 10 and 11 the moment" the port 46 is uncovered. The spring for the valve 31 is so adjusted relatively to the spring of the valve 33, that thevalve 31 will 0 en to admit an quantity of air 0m the low ressure cylinder 3 should the supply of air 1n the cylinder 2 become reduced by leakage causes, otherwise the'forward strokess'of the fluid from the forward side of the, ist'on to the rear side thereof by jmeans o the bypass 36, the return or. rearward strokes of the piston 12 serving 'to supplycompressed air or fluid through forward side of the pistpn'whereby'the return strokes of the plunger are;

and the air' thus introduced from the cylinder 3 to the forward; of the. ey]in-' additional merely to conduct the air .or

or from other the p'assage29 tot'he i w means for. confining fluiduntil highly sem -"f reatest convenience der 2 is returned during the forward or power stroke of the plunger, the air in front of the piston 10 being exhausted through the port e1 into the passage 29 and thence through the forward port 39 to the forward side of. the piston 12, the at th's moment the position shown in Fig. 1. The port 40 in rear of the port 39 serves to permit'the fluid from the rear side of the piston 12 to be exhausted during the entire return stroke of the saidpiston into the forward end of'the cylinder 2 for the purpose of effecting the return strokes of the plunger.

A fluid-actuated tool constructed in accordance with my present invention is capable of being installed and operated with the g and efliciency, and while it will be understood of course that the invention is applicable generally to fluid-actuated tools of various kinds, it is especially adapted for use in connection with mining machinery, as the compressed fluid is not exhausted to the atmosphere at each operation of-the tool as is usual with tools 7 of this class, but on the other hand thecompressed fluid'serves as a power-conducting medium between the motor and the recipro catory plunger or element, and the expansive properties of the compressible elastic fluid are utilized so as to economize in the -amount of power required to operate the tool or machine while the blows of the plunger or reciprocatory element are very rapid andpowerful.

As the reciprocatory plunger or tool element has a'floating action, or is disconnected from the fluid-compressing and controlling pistons which latter have a' regular movement under the influence of the motor, it may be given a very rapid movement on its power stroke under the action of the compressed fluid which serves to store up and concentrate the power of the motor,

and a conservation of energy is attained'to for, during the operation of the machine, the same fluid is compressed,

a high degree,

expanded and recompressed and hence there is no loss in power as occurs in machines of the type which exhaust the fluid into the atmosphere, for in the present instance, the heat generated in the compression'serves to heat the fiuid during its expansion, and in ,this way the greatest efficiency is -in'sured.

--I claim as myj inventio-nz A 1'. Fluid operated mechanism of the class tool-operating ment in'said housing,

pressed by s latter occupying ,the latter is in retracted" position, and third port entering the cylinder between the tool pressing pistons a ffcol'npre'ssing element and having'ja'portetl'p sage atlapted'tb b p jr lenients 'for condu ting"tnahighiy"; $5 fcoiiipr'ess'ed fll'iid' to the tool-operating ele'-'" ment to drive the latter on its forward stroke at a-speed greater than the corresponding movement of the compressing element, and means separate from and driven by said fluid-compressing element for developing fluid pressure and for conducting it to said tool-operating element to retract the latter.

2. A machine toi tgfnclass described comprising a suitable ca g having a cylinder, tool operating and flui compressing pistons independently reciprocable therein, the cylinder casing having a by-pass provided with ports communicating with the cylinder at opposite and a valve controlling one of said ports for permitting escape of air from between said pistons as they approach and for creating avacuum betweenthem as the movement of one of the pistons is reversed for retracting the tool operating piston.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with a cylinder, tool operating and fluid-compressing ele-' ments mounted to reciprocate independently therein, the casing of the cylinder being provided with a by-pass closed to the atmosphere and communicating with the cylinder at opposite sides of the fluid-compressing piston, and a controlling valve for permit-' ting the escape of air confined between the pistons as they approach into a space at the opposite side of the fluid-compressing piston, said valve closing to create a vacuum between said pistons as the direction of move ment of the compressing piston is reversed.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with acylinder, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons independently reciprocable therein, the casing being provided with a by-pass closed to. the atmosphere and having a port en tering the cylinder at for in proximity to one ,end,' a :second port entering the a cylinder at a point between the tool operating and fluid-compressing pistonswhen operating and fluid-comwhen the tool operating piston is at the end of its power stroke, and a valve controlling the last mentioned port for permitting escape of air confined be-' tween the pistons asone another and for creating a vacuum as 1 the compressing piston is' retracted. --5. A machine the clzi's'sfdsciibdcom prising a casing provided" with a cylinder," tool operating and fluid co'm "re'ssiii'g pistons. independently reciprocable. t "eigein, 'the jcas'-" ing being provided with all jyipass erms nently'closed to "the atmosphere and having ports to conductingeompressed 'fl iid from oneside' of the .piston to" a space between the'laltter plsto and thejto ol operfff atingtfpi's'ton, and for means including an at a point the latter approach additional piston for developing and conducting fluid .to the tool operating piston for ing being provided with a by-pass vpiston connected to move retracting the latter. v

-6. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with a cylinder,

tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons 1 plemental piston to the tool operating piston after the power stroke of the latter for re- ,tracting the tool operating piston.

7. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with a cylinder, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons gindependentlyreciprocable therein, means prising a casing provided with a for conducting compressed fluid from one side of the compressing piston to a space between the tool operatlng piston, and additional fluid pressure developing means for maintaining a supply of compressed fluid in the said cylinder.

pair of cylinders, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons independently movable in one of said cylinders, means for conducting compressed fluid from one side of the compressing piston to a space between the opposite side of said piston and the tooloperating piston to drive the latter on its power stroke, a supplemental piston mounted in the second cylinder and connected to operate synchro nously with said compressing piston, and means for conducting the, supply of fluid compressed by said supplemental piston to the cylinder containing the compressing piston. K

9. A'machine'of the class described comprising a casing provided with cylinders, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons independently reciprocable in one of said cylinders, the cylinder containing the compressing piston being provided with a bypass for conductingtcompressed fluid from one side of the compressing piston to thetool operating piston, a supplemental piston mounted to operate in-one of said cylinders,

and valve-controlled means forconducting said supplemental pising piston and for of said fluidQ V 10. A machine of the class described comprisinga casing provided with cylinders,

prevent-ing a return flow tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons I cylinders.

ports for conducting compressed .s'ide of the opposite side of said piston and 8. A machine of the class described com-,

independently reciprocable in one of said means for conducting compressed fluid from one sldeo-f the compressing p1ston to the tool operating piston to drive the latter on its power stroke, a supplemental piston mounted to operate in another of said cyllnders and movable synchronously with said fluid compressing piston, and means permanently closed to the atmosphere for conducting fluid compressed by said supplemental piston to the tool oper atingpiston for retracting the latter after .its power stroke. l

11. A machine of the class described comprising a 'casing provided with cylinders, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons mounted in certain of said cylinders, means for conducting fluid compressed by the compressing piston to the tool operating piston to drive the latter on its power stroke, a supplemental piston operatively connected with the compressing piston and operable in another of said cylinders, a valve-controlled by-pass in the cylinder of the supplemental piston for permitting fluid to pass from one the supplemental piston to th opposite side thereof during the movement of the fluid-compressing and supplemental piston in one direction, and means permanently closed to the atmosphere for conducting fluid compressed by an opposite movement of the supplemental piston to the tool operating piston for retracting the latter after its power stroke.

12. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with cylinders, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons mounted in certain of said cylinders,

means for conducting fluid compressed by the compressing piston to the tool operating piston to drive the latter on its power stroke, a supplemental piston connected to move simultaneously with the compressing piston, a passage extending through the casing between the compression side of the cylinder containing the compressing piston and one side of the cylinder containing the supplemental piston, the cylinder containing the supplemental piston being provided with a by-pass for conductingv fluid from one side of the supplemental piston to the other, spring operated controlling valves for said by-pass and the passage leading to the cylinder containing the compresslng piston for maintaining a supply of compressed air at a given pressure in thelatter cylinder, a second fluid passage serving to conduct fluid compressed by the supplemental piston to the tool operating piston to retract the latter after its power stroke.

13. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with a cylinder, :tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons independently reciprocable therein, a by-pass being formed-in one end of said a cylinder common cylinder for conducting compressed fluid from one side of the compressing piston to the tool operating piston, the opposite portion of the cylinder being provided with a permanently open port and a supplemental at the opposite ends thereof, tool operatingand fluid-compressing pistons mounted in one of said cylinders, means for conducting fluid compressed by the compressing piston to the tool operating piston to drive the latter on its power stroke, a supplemental piston mounted in the other cylinder, means for conducting-fluid compressed by the supplemental piston to the-tool operating piston to retract the latter after its power stroke, a longitudinally movable cross-head connecting the compressing and supplemental pistons for simultaneous movement, an operating gear 'mounted in the casing between said cylinders and connected to impart reciprocatory movements to the crosshead, and a motor shaft connected to said ear. g 15. In a fluid actuated machine of the class described, the combination of a coma working or driven piston, to both of said pistons and embodying means fordeveloping pressure in an expansible fluid medium during pressing piston,

the return stroke of the compressing pistonand also having means for introducing such fluid under pressure to .the working piston to drive it on its power stroke, means for permitting escape of the fluid pressure medium after the latter has imparted its energy to the working piston, said cylinder forming a vacuum. chamber between saidpistons, and means including a supplemental piston operative by and movable with the compressin piston for developing and introducing 'fluidpressure to the working piston .whereby the'workingpiston will be a withdrawn simultaneously with thefcompression of the expansible medium.

16. A machine of the class described comprising independently reciprocable tool-operating and fluid-compressing pistons, a c'yl+ inder in which said pistons are fitted, providing a tight compressing chamberin rear of the compressing piston, and an expansion chamber between the pistons, said cylinder also having a by-pass adapted to conduct fluid from said compression chamber to said chamber between the pistons and means for exhausting fluid in advanoe'of the tool operating piston, whereby the percussion stroke of the is developed by the expansive action of the pressure fluid medium, and means including tool operating piston a supplemental piston driven by and movable synchronously with the fluid-compressing piston for developing and introducing fluid under pressure to the front of the tool operating piston during the return stroke of the compressing piston for retracting said piston,

17. A machine of the class described comprising a casing provided with a cylinder, tool operating and fluid-compressing pistons independently reciprocable therein, the casing being provided with a by-pass having ports for conducting compressed fluid from one side of the compressing piston to a .space between the latter piston and the tool operating piston, and means including a supplemental piston operatively connected to and movable with the fluid-compressing piston for developing and introducing fluid to the tool operating piston for retracting' the latter during the return stroke of the fluid compressing piston. v

18. The combination of suitably housed independently movable driving and'driven.

JOHN w. onN'rY. Witnesses x W. K. Hum), 

